INFocus
Just Being Margaret
As an avid reader and collector of filmstar biographies, I was delighted by Margaret Cardillo’s 2011 biography of Audrey Hepburn, Just Being Audrey. It is written for children and exquisitely illustrated by Julia Denos in images that perfectly capture the elegance and charm of Ms Hepburn.
I interviewed the author to find out more…
Why Audrey?
For my 6th grade character parade I had to choose an historical figure to dress up as and do a biographical report on. My mother suggested Audrey Hepburn. I had never heard of her so we spent the day watching Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffanys. I fell in love with her. I tease my mom that she was so lucky that Audrey had become my role model instead of some, as she liked to call them “flash in the pan.” I wanted to dress and act and even talk like Audrey. Years later I was an associate editor in children’s publishing and I was walking down the street in Manhattan and saw a picture of her in a shop window. I knew enough about her life to know that it was inspiring. And I loved the idea of introducing a new generation of, in particular, girls to Audrey. She really used her fame for all the right reasons. And at a time when that sort of a role model is at a premium, I just saw the book coming together.
Apart from Audrey, who are your role models?
I honestly don’t have room to list all of my role models. I call on all kinds of people at any different moment in a given day.
As for role models that are strangers to me, honestly too many. I wouldn’t know where to start. I think that is one of the great things about this series is that I am exploring so many amazing women’s lives. Some are very well known to the public, and some have hidden gem stories. But I take a piece of their lives with me after I read about them. And that’s exactly what I hope the books will do for young readers.
